WILMINGTON, DE — Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is proud to announce that Media, PA Head Brewer Bob Barrar brought home his 17th and 18th medals from this year’s prestigious Great American Beer Festival (GABF) this past weekend in Denver, CO. Along with fellow winner and Voorhees, NJ Head Brewer Kevin Walter, Barrar brought the company’s total to 42 medals, and an unprecedented 18 consecutive years of wins for Iron Hill, company-wide.
“Each year, the competition at the GABF grows more intense, so we’re especially proud to celebrate our talented brewers’ wins in 2014,” says Director of Brewing Operations Mark Edelson. “From Bob’s consistent excellence to first-time recognition for our Voorhees location, we feel this was another strong year for us and we’re delighted to honor our team for their hard work.”
As increasing numbers of independent breweries open across the country, GABF registration fills up more and more quickly annually. Spots at the competition are more coveted — and prestigious — than ever, making it even more impressive that Iron Hill continues to dominate the festival. This year, Barrar (the company’s most awarded brewer) added a silver medal for his Rye of the Tiger rye ale and a bronze medal for his Burton English-style IPA, while Walter earned a silver medal for his Bedotter Belgian-style Tripel.
The GABF is an annual event celebrating the best in American brewing culture. This year’s competition featured 49,000 attendees and 1,309 breweries representing all 50 states and Washington, DC. Participants offered 5,507 beers for judging in 90 style categories, with 222 judges from 10 countries evaluating the entries, an average of 61 per category. Two hundred thirty four breweries earned medals, with only a handful, including Iron Hill, celebrating more than one win. For more information, including a complete list of winners, please visit www.gabf.org.
Founded by home brewers Kevin Finn and Mark Edelson and restaurateur Kevin Davies in Newark, DE in 1996, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant has blossomed from one restaurant and brewery to 10 locations across the mid-Atlantic, with an 11th location, in Ardmore, PA (60 Greenfield Avenue, 610-228-2280) scheduled to open in the coming year. Each restaurant is dedicated to producing and serving top-quality hand-crafted beers and cuisine in a warm and hospitable setting, and all are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Over the past 18 years, the company has earned a staggering 15 gold, six silver and 21 bronze medals from the GABF.
Locations include: Newark, DE (147 East Main Street, 302-266-9000); Wilmington, DE (620 Justison Street, 302-472-2739); Media, PA (30 East State Street, 610-627-9000); West Chester, PA (3 West Gay Street, 610-738-9600); North Wales, PA (1460 Bethlehem Pike, 267-708-2000); Phoenixville, PA (130 East Bridge Street, 610-983-9333); Lancaster, PA (781 Harrisburg Pike, 717-291-9800); Maple Shade, NJ (124 East Kings Highway, 856-273-0300); Voorhees, NJ (13107 Town Center Boulevard, 856-545-9009); and Chestnut Hill, PA (8400 Germantown Avenue, 215-948-5600).
For more information about Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, or to make a reservation at any of their locations, please visit www.ironhillbrewery.com, follow them on Twitter (@ironhillbrewery) and like them on Facebook.